The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Government revenue is not growing faster than ever, which means rising debt even in today’s relative prosperity. Again, whether you like this or not is irrelevant. It’s happening. I see no way out. Raising taxes on the wealthy won’t get us even close to a balanced budget, even at confiscatory levels. Raising taxes on the middle class won’t happen in a recession. The only tax system with a shot at actually paying for current spending (even without adding the new programs some Democrats want) is a “VAT” or value-added tax, and it is anathema in both parties. No matter how …


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — July 4, 2019

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Today, Americans go through the motions of celebrating the remnants of our once preciously cherished liberty. Independence day is also the birthday of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) and of General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) — The folks at Palmetto State Armory are continuing their big Independence Day Sale, through July 8th. Many of the sale  prices are amazing. They have their standard “Safe/Fire” AR-15 stripped lowers on sale for just $29.99. And they have complete AR pistol lowers with SBA3 adjustable arm braces on sale for just $179.99.  (Those normally sell for $319.) Visit their site and check it out, before the …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters ande negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the New Zealand buy back gun grab. NZ Government Refuses to Pay Full Price for Banned Guns Gun Owners Outraged as New Zealand Government Refuses to Pay Full Price for …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 3, 2019

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On July 3, 1890, the Idaho Territory became the 43rd state in the Union. July 3rd is also the birthday of both musician Aaron Tippin and of actor Tom Cruise. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 83  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3,000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on our advertiser BattlBox. (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: Illustrated Cabinetmaking: How to Design and Construct Furniture That Works (Fox Chapel Publishing) Over 1300 Drawings & Diagrams for Drawers, Tables, Beds, Bookcases, Cabinets, Joints & Subassemblies o  o  o Serious bayonet collectors and investors find themselves a copy of this book: Bayonets from Janzen’s Notebook. (Used copies can sometimes be found on eBay for less than $75.) o  o  o I was not surprised to see …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 2, 2019

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On July 2nd, 1937 aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight at the equator. — I just signed up for affiliate advertising with EMPShield.com. Please take a minute to look at their web site. They sell effective EMP-protective circuitry for your vehicles and your home–whether you are on-grid or off-grid.


The Other Transceiver Import Ban: Hytera

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You’ll probably recall that last week I mentioned the upcoming import ban on Baofeng UV-5 series handi-talkies. This was because of a 2018 FCC ruling that banned sales of transceivers that can transmit in both the FRS band and in ham bands. That ban goes into effect on September 30th. But you may not have heard about the other transceiver import ban: This one is on Hytera brand encrypted Digital Mobile Radios (DMRs). DMR is an open digital radio standard that combines voice and data together–often with 128-bit or 256-bit encryption features. The reason for the import ban? Some of …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. Today, we focus on plans to create a 12th Circuit Court. (See the Region-Wide section.) Region-Wide Crapo Seeks to Create 12th Circuit Court. JWR’s Comments: This will at least palliate the situation, and hopefully even allow President DJT to appoint additional conservatives to the bench of this new appellate court! o o o Reader Mitch X. wrote to ask: “I was in Grangeville …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”.  Today, we delve even further into the growing threat of internet surveillance and censorship. Fed Up With YouTube Censorship? If you are fed up with YouTube censorship and content steering, then I recommend getting the LBRY app. The app (spoken “Library”) also includes its own cryptocurrency. So I’ve found that getting someone started viewing videos on LBRY is a good way to teach them the fundamentals of how crypto coins operate. And it …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 1, 2019

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July 1st, 1863 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. — We’d like to welcome our newest advertiser, Harvest Guard. Their re-usable canning lids are made here in the United States. They are offering us a special 5% discount coupon code:  “SURVIVALBLOG“. Thanks! — Palmetto State Armory — one of our affiliates advertisers — just started their big annual Fourth of July sale. Their advertised sale prices last until July 8th. One noteworthy item on sale is a complete M4 upper and parts kit with 16″ barrel, a mid-length gas system, Picatinny rail, and M-LOK …


Recipe of the Week: M.N.’s Oatmeal Pancakes

Reader M.N. sent us this recipe that is a good way to use your stored rolled oats, your stored wheat (or whole wheat flour), your stored powdered eggs, and your stored powdered milk.  Of course, fresh ingredients taste best, but long term storage ingredients are still palatable. This recipe serves four people, or two teenage boys. (About 12 pancakes). Note: Doubling the recipe is too much for the capacity of a blender, so make separate recipes. Ingredients 2 Cups rolled oats (oatmeal) 1 Cup of whole wheat flour (can be hand-ground, but if so, grind it twice) 2 1/2 Cups …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, in a special issue of this column I’m foregoing the regular news column items to look at investing in rare modern Colt 1911 variants. Tangibles Investing (Rare Modern Colt 1911 Variants): Today I’m focusing my attention on the fairly arcane specialty of investing in fairly rare modern …